Lowell Arthur Harvey, 90, went home peacefully to be with his Heavenly Father on December 18, 2020, with his family by his side. We imagine him welcomed by his beloved first wife Patricia (née Keith); his father Ralph Ivan and his mother Ruth (née Gardner); his older siblings Paul and Wendell Harvey, Elizabeth Jewell, and Claudia Torrey; and two especially pampered cats, Tony and Queenie.
Lowell’s large and loving family is left bereft at his loss, though thankful for a long life well-lived. He was a devoted husband, father, and Papa, and a favorite uncle to his many nieces and nephews. We remember him for the big things - his dedication to his family and his abiding Christian faith - but also for so, so many small things. We remember the delightful combination of real maple syrup and cold creamy ice cream on hot pancakes, the sharp tang of his morning vinegar and maple syrup concoction, breakfasts of Postum and Grapenuts, the smell of wood shavings and the feel of smooth blocks of wood in our hands, fruit plucked fresh from trees in the backyard, trips to Walt Disney World and to see manatees, and splashing in the creek behind the family camp. We remember holding hands at the dinner table before every meal spent together, his jokes about why we never wore “green jeans,” and our awe at his ability to wiggle his ears.
Lowell was born on July 25, 1930 in Pitcher, NY, and every year hoped the corn on the cob would be ready for his birthday. He graduated from Cincinnatus High School, where (he told his grandchildren) he focused more on basketball than his studies. He served his country as a mechanic in the United States Air Force, which did not lead to a love of flying - when asked why he disliked air travel, he would reply “well, you never had to work on planes.” He married Patricia in 1957, and they raised their three children in Kirkville, NY. There Lowell took great pride in serving the Lord with his skills as a partner with Ackley and Harvey Builders, constructing churches and homes throughout New York State from 1963 until his retirement in 1991.
Lowell and Pat spent their golden years in Beverly Hills, FL, to the delight of many family members who would visit to share in both their hospitality and the beautiful weather. Each summer they returned to Central NY to visit family and friends, traveling from place to place in their motorhome and stopping for extended periods at the family camp in Cincinnatus, NY.
In 2009, after 51 years of marriage, Pat was called to Heaven. Lowell then fell in love with and, in 2010, married Adah Muncy Harvey, the widow of his elder brother Wendell (talk about a blended family - and Adah who didn’t even have to change her name on her driver’s license!). For 10 years, Lowell and Adah resided in Ocala, FL, and continued making yearly trips to NY and Arizona to visit family - amazingly, Adah was even able to convince him to get on a plane.
Lowell is remembered with great love by his wife Adah, son Curtis (Debbie), and daughters Crystal (Jim) Gemmell and Lori (Craig) Sternberg, as well as his nine grandchildren: Jamie (Lacey), Jennifer, Ashley (Christopher), Andrew (Kara), Brian (Danielle), Eric (Melanie), Adam (Beth), Jillian (Derek), and Kyle (Stephanie); and nine great-grandchildren: James, Aeliana, Emmett, Andrew, Cayson, Teagan, Lucas, Camilla, and Hannah; and two sisters: Mary (John) Davis and Ruth Esther (Dean) Delavan.** He was also blessed with five stepchildren through his marriage to Adah: Wenda (Fritz) Nonnemacher, Ralph (Angel) Harvey, Wanita (John) Brooker, Randy (Maria) Harvey, Wilma (Troy) Volker, and their 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, and so many beloved nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
A graveside service is planned for a later date at the Lower Cincinnatus Cemetery in Cincinnatus, NY. Gifts in Lowell’s memory may be made to the upkeep of the Lower Cincinnatus Cemetery, ℅ Shelby Mudge, Treasurer, 5169 Piety Hill Rd., Cincinnatus, NY 13040, or to Ronald McDonald House Charities at https://www.rmhc.org/donate.
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